Wringer mechanism



May 12,1942. N. L. ETTEN WRINGER MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 11, 19357 Sheets-Sheet l MEN-rim 7144A $9221 W W A TEIH EYE May 12, 1942. N. L.ETTEN WRINGER MECHANISM Original Filed- Nov. 11, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 2MEN-FDR 1% my ATTlIl NEFE Max 12, 1942. N. 1.. ETTEN WRINGER MECHANISM 7Sheets-:Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 11, 1935 7 ATTU HE EYE N. L. ETTENWRINGER MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. '11, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 v TTDEIIEYE INVENT 121%. ML fm EIY May 12, 1942. N. L. ETTEN WRINGER MECHANISMOriginal Filed NOV. 11, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet-S III/II/I/I/I IIIIIIII/I/I/rIIll!!!lffffffl/I/Il/Ifll MEN-ram WM 1% EIY ALT TEIJQZZEYE May 12, 1942. N. L. ETTEN WRINGER MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 11, 1935 7Sheets-Sheet 6 MEN-FDR.

EJY

7 ATTQRNEYEI May 12, 19 42. 1 ETTEN 2,282,953

WRINGER MECHAN-I SM Original Filed Nov. 11, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 7INVENTEJEL E] waafm.

AT TIDENEYE Patented May 12, 1942 UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICEApplication November 11, 1935, Serial No. 49,122 Renewed July 8, 1940 11Claims.

This invention has reference to the wringer art, particularly to arelease and reset mechanism for a wririger.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a wringer mechanismwhich includes a release mechanism to remove pressure from the rolls anda mechanism operable to reset the released parts so as to re-apply thepressure.

Another object is to provide a mechanism as aforesaid wherein release isaccomplished by a simple push or pull movement of a readily accessibleelement of the wringer. v

An additional object is to provide a readily accessible member which maybe operated with slight exertion to reset the released parts.

A further object lies in the provision of a release and reset mechanismin which there is a manually accessible member operable to cause thewringer rolls to be pressed together, which member is held in pressureapplying position by a latch mechanism controlled by another manuallyaccessible member operable to release the latch whereby the first memberis permitted to move out of pressure applying position to removepressure from the rolls.

A general object is to provide a wringer mech-; anism which includeseasily operated means for establishing pressure relationship between therolls and simple and readily accessible members for releasing thepressure which members are F operated by simple push orpull movement.

Other and additional objects will appear in the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sideelevational view of a wringer embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the same; Fig. 3 is a sideelevational sectional viewtaken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevational view taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

of several parts of Fig. 19 is an enlargedfragmental end eleva tionalview showing details of mechanism to be Fig. 5 is an end elevationalview, partly in section, takenapproximately from line 555 in Fig.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental elevational view taken from line E- B in Fig. 3;

Figs. '7 to 9 are fragmental sectional views taken on line 1-9 in Fig.13, showing operating details to be described;

Figs. 10 to l2are fragmental sectional views taken on the lower portionof line 44 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a fractional sectional plan view taken on line l3l3 in Fig.3;

Fig. 14 is a fragmental sectional side elevational view, the same beingan enlargement of the portion included within the line l4-|4 in Fi 3;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional plan view taken on line 15-15 in Fig.5; V v

Fig, 16 is an end elevational view showing f le-- described; 7 Fig. 20is an enlarged fragmental end elevational view showing details ofmechanism of a modified form of the device to be explained; and

Fig. 21 is a broken plan view of the wringer mechanism'with portions ofthe cover broken away, showing in'plan the mechanism illustrated in Fig.20. r

In carrying out my invention I provide a lower frame member l0 whichincludes end portions I l and I2 and apron portions l3. The frame isassumed to be attached to a head structure M which, not being a part ofthe present invention, will not be described.

A top structure, which includes end caps l5 and I6 and a centrallydisposed release member 5|, is separably fitted'upon the frame, with capI l5 resting upon portion H and cap 16 resting upon portion l2. a

A frame and top structure havingany desired exterior appearance mayobviously be used. I do not wish to be limited in the matter of frame ortop arrangement or design. 1

With slight exception, as will be noted, the

open. In the central portion there are two upright walls [9 which arespaced apart and have inturned edges 20, thus forming a verticallydisposed channel."

Within this channel there is'slidably fitted a frame assembly shown inFigs-16 and 17. The assembly consists of a main body portion 2| having achannel cross section. Member 2| is disposed in the channel of the endframe member, as indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 18. The assemblyfurther includes a'cap member 22, and an extension member 23, attachedto outwardly extending portions 24 of member 2| by means of lugs 25which pass through portions 24, as shown. The assembly will be againreferred to.

The shaftof lower roll I 9 is journalled in bearing blocks 26, Figs. 3and 4, which are disposed between walls l9 and held in place by means ofThe upp r roll !8 is journalled in bearing.

of members 2| and disposed as indicated in dotted outline in Figs. 16and 1'7. Downward movement caps are provided with holes in which areelon-" gated bars 3| having head portions which rest upon the capstructure, as shown. 7

The bars 3| pass through the portions 24 of blocksf29 which are slidablyfitted in the channel away through approximately half its diameter so asto leave half circular cross sections opposite the lips 4| The face ofone of the cams thus formed is designated 42 in Fig. 4. The cam facesare both out from the-same side of shaft so as to operate in the samerelationship upon the lips 4| at each end of the wringer.

- At the points where shaft 38 passes through the back wall of endportions l5 and I6 it rests member 2| in holes dimensioned so as topermit free movement of the bars therein.

The lower ends of bars 3| are provided with adjustment nuts 32. Coilsprings 33 are confined between the nuts and portions 24. The springsobviously react to urge the caps 22 toward members 2|, thus urgingbearing blocks 29 to slide downwardly into the channel of member 2|toward a position of rest againstlugs 30, in which position the bearingblocks, caps, and members 2|, become a substantially self containedunitary assembly.

It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the lower edges of end cap l5 rest uponthe upper edges of end frame portion N, there being a suitable rib 34 tohold the cap in'register with the frame. The cap is'provided with lugs35 which carry screws 36. The screws pass freely through holes inportions 24. Coil springs 31 are confined between the heads ofthe screwsand portion 24. By means of the fastening just described, .end caps l5and H5 are made apart of the self contained assembly above noted and itwill be apparent that the upper roll I8, together with the bearingassemblies and caps l5 and I6, may be bodily removed from the lowerframe I! by a simple upward movement.

With the assemblies positioned in the frame as shown in the severalviews, roll l8 obviously rests upon roll l9, and when in this positionif member 2| is moved downwardly springs 33 will be compressed, byportions 24, against the nuts 32 whereby the heads of rods 3| arepressed downwardly against caps 22.

'Since roll |8 cannot move downwardly in responseto the pressure, member2| moves downwardly away from the bearing blocks 29 which places thefull pressure of springs 33 upon the roll. The roll is obviously free tomove upwardly, as it normally would when garments are between the rolls,through the resilience of-the springs and thus,-with members 2| inlowered position the rolls are held-in resilient pressure relationship.V

To operate the above described pressure mechanismand hold the same inpressure position, I provide a mechanism consisting principally of ashaft 38, journa1led in the lower part offrame i; as will be described,with an arm or handle 39 attached thereto and disposed outside the lefthand end of the frame. a

As has already been stated, the members 2| are alike in both ends of'thewringer frame. They are oppositely arranged'sothat their back wallslie against the back or outer walls of the end frame portions as bestshown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 16 shows a slot 49 cut in'the back wall of members 2| and a lip oredge 4| formed in the lower portion of the slot. The lips in oppositemembers 2| each extend in the same direction with respect to shaft 38and are so disposed as to be adjacent the shaft. 1

At the points where the shaft passes through the back-walls of members2| the shaft is milled .inan elongated opening in which it may both turnand move sidewise. The arrangement is shown in Fig. 6; Bosses 43 areformed in the frame walls to give increased bearing surface and, a lug44 is disposed at one side of each boss. Additional lugs 45 are disposedat the opposite sides of the bossed portions, see Fig. 13.

The arm 39 is of hollow cross section with its inner face open andadapted to lie adjacent the outer face of end frame portion A ribbedportion 46 extends from the bottom of the arm upwardly along the backwall, and beyond the upper 'end of the arm. The upper end of the rib isfashioned to co-operate with a latch mechanism which will be referred toshortly.

, Arm 39 is aflixed to shaft 38 and the arm and shaft may be rotated asindicated in Figs. 5 to 12.

Fig. 10 shows the position of cam face 42 when arm 39 is in the positionshown in Fig. 7, Fig. 11 corresponds with Fig. 8, and Fig. 12corresponds with Fig. 9. Y

That part of arm 39 adjacent shaft 38 is so formed as to provide a camface which has a low portion 4|,a rise 48, and a high portion 49, andthe-face is so disposed as to contact with lug 44, see Fig. 13;

Fig. '7 illustrates that when arm v39 is in lowered position, the camportion 41 is engaged with lug 44, shaft v38 lies toward the left in theslot of boss 43 and cam 42 lies nearly horizontal and away from lip 4|.An extending portion 39' of the arm engages lug 45 to prevent furtherlowering rotation of the arm.

Initial upward rotation of the arm places the rise portion 48 inengagement with lug 44 whereby thecam body and shaft 38 are forced tothe right and-cam 42 isplaced in position to engage lip 4|.

Rotation of the arm from the Fig. 8 to the Fig. 9 position rotates shaft38 into the position shown in Fig. 12 whereby lowering movement ofmember 2| is brought about as is thought clearly apparent.

The action of the roll pressure mechanism as brought about by elevatingand lowering movement of member 2| has already been explained and itwill now become apparent that the roll pressure mechanism may beoperated from pressure to relief position by simple rotation of arm 39from the solid to dotted line position of Fig. 5 or vice versa.

A spring 50, Fig. 3, is arranged to slightly urge the shaft 38 to rotatecounterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 5, and it will benoted in Fig. 12that earn face 42 lies slightly forward of vertical or deadcenter'position. The arrangement is such that when arm 39 is raised tovertical position and retained in this 'positionmemberfl is held inlowered position, but if the arm is released, the pressure of the rolltensioning springs operating on cam 42, together with the tension ofspring 5|] will instantly initiate and urge continued rotation of thearm and shaft toward and into the release position shown in Figs. 7 and10;

I have now described the means by which my roll pressure mechanism isoperated into'pressure .or release position. Obviously there must bemeans for holding the arm 39 in pressure position when the wringer is inuse, and a convenient means for disabling this holding means, in orderthat the roll pressure may be quickly and easily removed whenemergencies arise.

For the above purpose I provide a mechanism, as follows:

Figs. 1 to 3 show a member 5| which is rockably mounted upon and betweenend caps I5 and I6 by means'of trunnion portions '52 whichare rotatablysupported in holes in the inner walls of the end caps. In cross section,member 5| has a form similar to the end caps so that when the member 5|lies in inactive position, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the surface lines acrosscaps l5 and I6, and member 5|, are substantially continuous.

53, Figs. 14 and 15, designates a plate member which is fashioned so asto have two arms 54 which pass through enlarged openings in the innerwall of end cap I5 and are loosely conwhen either of members 5| istilted or rocked upon centers 58, that is, pushed or pulled out of itsnormal alignment, its accompanying bar will be tilted and the latchmember 53' elevated to release thehandle 39 as formerly described.

The exterior form and disposition of members 5| and 5| are alike andthey are operated in exactly the same manner to accomplish release ofthe roll pressure. In both forms the members have outset lower edges sothat they are easily grasped and pulled to accomplish release or theyfined in openings in the'end wall of member 5|, I

as shown.

At its opposite end, plate 53 has extending portions 54 which rest uponextending portions 23' of members 23.

A tongue portion 55 of plate 53 extends through the outer wall of cap I5and lies in the path of the inner face of arm 39. A spring 56resiliently holds plate 53 in the normal horizontal position shown inFig. 14. e

Referring to Figs. 5 and 15, it will be noted that one side wall of theupper end of rib portion 46 has an opening 56, the lower edge of whichis bent inwardly so as to form a cam surface 51, and between the inneredge of this and the opposite wall of portion 46 there is a space largeenough to receive the tongue 55 as shown;

It will now become apparent that when arm 39 is rotated into verticalposition, corresponding to pressure position on the wringer rolls, thetongue 55 is engaged and elevated by cam 51 and subsequently drops intothe space above noted, and the arm is thus locked in pressure position.

It will further be apparent that rocking movement of member 5| in eitherdirection will cause the plate 53 to be tilted away from one or theother of portions 23' whereby the tongue 55 is elevated away from cam57, as in Fig.19, to permit escapement of arm 39 with results alreadydescribed.

A modification of my release actuating mechanism is shown in Figs. 20and 21. In this arrangement the rocking member 5| is replaced by twoseparate members 5| disposed on opposite sides of the wringer.

Each member is pivotally mounted at 58 in the end caps l5 and It, in amanner similar to member 5|, and is independently movable as indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 20.

The plate 53 is replaced by a latching member 53 which is pivotallysupported at 59 on the inner wall of cap I5.

The extending portions 23 of members 23 are somewhat enlarged and aredesignated 23".

To each of the members 5| is attached, in a manner similar to plate 53,an angulated bar, designated 60 and 6|. Each bar is fashioned to have aportion lying upon each'of portions 23" and are so dimensioned that eachmay be operated responsively to movement of its attached member 5|without interference with the opposite bar. A practicable arrangement isshown in Fig. 21.

The latch member 53' overlies both bars and may be pushed for the samepurpose.

The form, disposition, and operation of the rockable members is suchthat there is presented to an operator a large, conveniently disposedsurface which may be pushed or pulled in an indiscriminate manner torelease the roll pressure when occasion arises.

Considering Fig. 12, it will be apparent that when the roll pressure isonce set up, the power of the 'roll springs available to rotate shaft 38is minute, and the power of spring 50 is'only great enough to assist inthe initial rotative movement. Obviously the sum of the power of'all ofthe springs, as applied to produce rotation of shaft 38, is not great.

Since the power notedis divided many times by the length of arm 39 itwill be clear that the pressure upon the latching members 55 or 53' isslight and therefor the manual effort required to move members 5| or 5|into release position is so small as to be scarcely noticeable to anoperator.

Considering the foregoing, it will. be obvious that I have provided awringer release and reset mechanism which may be used by the least ex-'perienced operator with the 1. A wringer mechanism having in combina-.

tion, a lower frame including dual upright members on the ends oftheframe, a pair of separable top members resting upon each of theupright members, an upper wringer'roll mounted in bearings at each end,each bearing being supported by one of said top members of each pair,multiple coil spring pressure mechanism for the roll connected betweeneach of said bearings and a top member of each pair, mechanism operatingupon said pressure mechanism to cause downward pressure on saidbearings, releasable means holding said operating mechanismfrom release,and means to release said operating mechanism holding mean comprising amanual member pivotally mounted upon and between one of said top membersof each pair to rock therebetween upon centers disposed longitudinallyof and parallel the axial center of the roll, the same having connectionwith said holding means whereby rocking movement of said manual membercauses release of said holding means. 7

2. In a wringer, the combination of aframe,

rolls mountedin the frame, pressure mechanism for the rolls, means foroperating said pressure mechanism including a cam member disposed in inpressure sustaining position and a release mechanism rockably mountedupon the frame for movements relative thereto and being associated withsaid latch, said latch mechanism being responsive to a rocking movementof said release mechanism, whereby to release said handle.

3. In a wringer the combination of a frame, rolls mounted in the frame,pressure mechanism for the rolls, mean for operating the pressuremechanism including a cam member disposed in the bottom of the frame,the cam having operative connection with said pressure mechanism, ahandle for manually operating said cam to several positions to move saidpressure mechanism into pressure or release positions, a latch mechanismholding said handle in pressure position, an elongated member having amanually engageable surface portion extending from one side of thewringer to the other side thereof and downwardly over the rolls androckably associated with the frame and operatively associated with saidlatch mechanism, said member being so mounted and disposed that its saidsurface portion may be engaged by manual push or pull, whereby todisplace said latch mechanism.

4. A wringer mechanism having in combination, a frame, rolls mounted inthe frame, pressure mechanism for the rolls disposed in the ends of theframe, means for operating the pressure mechanism including cam membersdisposed in the bottom of the frame, connection between the cams andpressure mechanisms, a handle for manually operating said cams disposedat one end of the frame, said handle being operative to severalpositions to operate said pressure mechanisms by means of said cams intopressure or release positions, latching means holding said handle inpressure position, and, a manually accessible member operative todisable said latching means whereby to release the roll pressure.

5. A wringer mechanism including in combination, a frame, rolls mountedin the frame, pressure mechanism for the rolls, means for operating thepressure mechanism including a cam member disposed in the bottom of theframe, the cam having operative connection with said pressure mechanism,a handle manually operating said cam to several positions to move saidpressure mechanism into pressure 'or release positions, a latchmechanism holding said handle in pressure position, and members havingsurfaces extending from the longitudinal central portion of the top ofthe wringer downwardly and outwardly over and in front of the wringerrolls, which surfaces may be manipulated in a push or pull manner todisable said latch mechanism to release the roll pressure.

6. In a wringer, the combination of a frame, rolls mounted in the frame,pressure mechanism for the rolls, means for operating said pressuremechanism including a cam member disposed in the bottom of the frame, ahandle for manually operating said cam to several positions to move saidpressure mechanism into pressure or release positions, a latch mechanismholding said handle in pressure sustaining position, and means foreffecting the release of said latch from said handle.

7. In a wringer roll mechanism, a lower frame member and substantiallyvertical side frame members secured to said lower frame member, a pairof members separable from one another and slidably carried by each sideframe member, a roll bearing carried by and between each pair ofseparable members, a spring normallycompressed between each pair of saidseparable members and normally permitting said separable members toseparate, means for releasably securing the springs under compressionwhereby to draw said separable members of each pair together, and meansfor releasing said spring securing means. i v

8. In a wringer, a lower frame including upright end portions, rollsmounted in said frame, pressure means for normally holding said rolls inpressure relation with respect to one another, releasable meanscomprising a notched shaft for normally securing said pressure means androlls in pressure association, said notch being constructed and arrangedto facilitate the resetting of pressure, lever means connected with saidreleasable means, latch means engageable with said lever means fornormally securing said releasing means against operation, means biasingsaid releasable means to releasing condition, and a manually rockablemember disposed between and rockably associated with said upright endportions of the said frame and associated with said latch for releasingsaid latch means.

9. In a Wringer roll release mechanism, substantially verticallyextending and laterally spaced frame members, a pair of cooperativewringer rolls disposed between said frame members in substantially avertical plane, said rolls being relatively movable toward one another,means carried by one of said frame members for sliding movementsvertically with respect thereto, a roll bearing member carried by saidmeans in vertically slidable relation thereto and rotatably supportingthe upper of said rolls, means for limiting the downward movement ofsaid bearing member relative to said frame carried means, and means forsecuring said bearing member including a spring on each side of the axisof said bearing member, said springs pressing together said bearingmember and said frame carried means whereby compressing of said springwill tend to move said bearing member toward said limiting means.

10. In a wringer, a frame, a pair of cooperative rolls, pressuremechanism for the rolls including a handle shaft with 180 cam notchestherein, a quick action cam member on said shaft operable to move theshaft sideways and permit application of pressure by said 180 camnotches in approximately rotation of said shaft, and an operating handleon said shaft, a latch mechanism coacting with said shaft in pressuresustaining position and means for effecting the release of said latchfrom said shaft when roll pressure is released.

11. In a wringer, a frame, a pair of cooperative rolls, pressuremechanism for'the rolls including a handle shaft with cam notchestherein, a quick-action cam member on said shaft operable to permitapplication of pressure by said cam notches in approximately one-thirdrevolution rotation of said shaft, an operating handle on said shaft, alatch mechanism coacting with said shaft in pressure sustaining positionand means for effecting the release of said latch from said shaft whenroll pressure is released.

NICHOLAS L. ETTEN.

